FAIRFAX, Va., March 7, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Salient Federal Solutions, Inc. (Salient), a leading provider of information technology, training, engineering, and intelligence analytic services to agencies in the intelligence, defense, homeland security, cyber security, and federal civilian markets, today regretfully announces the passing of Mr. Ray Oleson on March 3, 2014. Mr. Oleson was the current Chairman of the Board and Co-Founder of Salient Federal Solutions.

"We are all very saddened by Ray's passing. On behalf of the Board and the Salient team, we extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues. His years of service, integrity, and lifetime committed to leadership has had a profound impact on our community and on the IT industry. Ray helped build a foundation for Salient's success and he was a true pillar in our industry. I have lost a partner, mentor, and a dear friend," says Brad Antle, CEO of Salient.

Mr. Oleson was agovernment IT services veteran and worked with Salient's founding members for over 20 years. Joining the Salient Board of Directors in 2009, Mr. Oleson brought a sense of enthusiasm that was contagious. With his vast experience, he was a valued voice to the Salient team.

Mr. Oleson served in senior positions with SI International, CACI, SASC, CSC, and Sperry-Univac. His vision, presented to Frontenac private equity in 1998, was to acquire and integrate a group of government IT services companies with complementary offerings. Growth would come through acquisitions and by offering new capabilities to existing customers. His team led the identification, acquisition, and integration of nine operator-owned companies to create SI International, Inc. where Mr. Oleson served as Chairman of the Board and Founder. Before being sold to Serco,he and his team had created a world-class company that had grown to over 5,000 employees and $580 Million in revenue. In mid-2009, Mr. Oleson and Brad Antle gathered a management team from previous successful ventures and entered into a new partnership with Frontenac, focused on building Salient Federal Solutions, a leading company in the government services arena.

"Ray's vision, presence, and commitment to civic engagement brought valuable experience to everything he touched over the years and especially these past few years at Salient," says Bill Parker, COO of Salient. "He was a prized friend and mentor. Our hearts go out to Ray's family and colleagues in this time of sadness. He will be dearly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him."

Donations may be made to Hospice Care of the Lowcountry or The Boys and Girls Club of Hilton Head. For more information, please click here.

About Salient Federal Solutions: A leading provider of Federal IT and engineering solutions enabling government and industry to respond quickly to new or surge mission requirements with exactly the right people, skills, expertise, and technical solutions. Salient is constantly working to accelerate mission impact by delivering highly adaptable technology services, engineering solutions, and domain expertise enabling customers to rapidly meet the pressing requirements of today, while anticipating tomorrow's evolving challenges. Headquartered in Fairfax, VA, Salient has offices in McLean, Colorado Springs, St. Louis, Norfolk, Orlando, San Diego, and Tampa. Recognized by Forbes Magazine as one of America's Most Promising Companies and named Contractor of the Year. www.salientfed.com.